NEGLIGENT DRIVING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 242, 12 October 1937, Page 6

NEGLIGENT DRIVING

MOTORIST CHARGED COLLISION ON NO. 1 LINE. At the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court yesterday Thomas Pearson

Souter was charged with driving a car in a negligent manner on No. 1 Line on April 2. Mr. Blennerhassett appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty. It was stated by Frank W. Higgins that on the evening of April 2 he was driving his car to Wanganui and defendant’s car was coming in the opposite direction. Suddenly the latter car swerved to the right and the resulting violent collision threw witness half on to the road and broke the floor af the car. His wife and child were Injured and sent to hospital. Rain was falling at the time. The oncoming car hid been fairly close to witness’ when it swerved and he had no chance to avoid it although he (witness) had been travelling on his correct side.

C. H. Stevens, who had been closely following defendant’s car, said that the night was a particularly bad one. When the defendant suddenly applied his brakes the car swung round and was struck by the other car. He stated to Mr. Blennerhassett that the road surface was very slippery and dangerous to drive on. A statement was submitted by Constable Howes, made by defendant, in which he stated that visibility was so poor that he decided to stop. On application of the brakes the right-hand one appeared to grip very hard and the car swung round to the right on the smooth surface.

The magistrate stated that defendint overlooked the fact that the brakes had been relined two days previously, and did not realise that the sudden application of the brakes on i smooth road surface would result in t skid. That was where he erred. A fine of £5 with costs was imposed.